Irrational Numbers by George Alec Effinger
Finished reading: Irrational Numbers by George Alec Effinger 📚
I loved “And Us, Too, I Guess”. It was really dark, wow. At first I thought it was too slow, but the alternating points of view and the disintegration of everything really worked.
“Hard Times” was terrifying and amazing; dark, powerful and precise. Something out of America today with thugs & evil people running things. Also a frightening thought about potential future hiring practices/vetting procedures.
“Lydectes: On the Nature of Sport” was an interesting meta text that presages the type of rhetoric and realities of an America 50 years after it was written.
I didn’t really enjoy the other pieces.
I’m writing again and looking forward to getting my next collection of poetry out this year. I started working on this new collection, tentatively called Being, while I was in the process of publishing “Becoming”. I took a break for a bit, too much of life was demanding attention. But, it’s been flowing again and I’m happy about that.
Looking back on this exciting and at times scary transition, I’m still amazed at the wonderful people I’ve interacted with. I’ve gotten support from people I expected it from, and from people I didn’t expect it from. I’ve also gotten it from total strangers. That’s not to say that it’s all been peaches and cream, but overall, I’ve been extremely lucky. It’s nice to have something positive to say about humanity in these times.
Finished reading: Stag Dance by Torrey Peters 📚 4*. I really enjoyed having a physical copy of her short stories. The main novella was good though it might have worked a little better as a short story. Very much enjoyed the collection overall
Watched: Monica 🍿 powerful 😢
Watched: Agatha Christie’s Poirot S1E5, The Third Floor Flat 🍿
I loved these episodes when they first aired. They don’t really stand the test of time but the production quality is still amazing. I’ve never lusted after clothes like the ones on this series. 1920s/30s fashions rocked. I’d kill for the red dress in this particular episode.
Never actually cried during a trailer for a film. “Monica” is that trailer. Watched twice before, and going to watch again tomorrow. If you haven’t seen, check it out. And if you like it, read Vanishing Monuments by John Elizabeth Stintzi. Just beautiful writing. 🏳️⚧️🍿📚
Watched: Queens of the Dead 🍿amazing!! 🩷🩷🩷
Watched: Scanners 🍿 Enjoyed. Nostalgic trip and some additional thoughts …
But to balance out the day, also had a woman come up to me in the market and have her ask me about my ruffle ankle socks and say nice things about them. It made my day. Just a simple acknowledgment of something cute. Nothing political or hardcore, just human interaction
Sometimes the hardest thing to deal with is whether it was accepting who I am or playing for the tip…
Watched: The Tragedy of Macbeth 🍿 4th time watching, still love it. Powerful performances by entire cast.
Watched: Widow’s Bay S1E7, Seasickness 🍿 I’ve never seen a ChatGPT/Claude/AI slop episode before… I have now.
Watched: Best Wishes to All 🍿OMG. Super twisted and very good.
Sir Walter Scott - Lay of the Last Minstrel
A favorite poetic extract that has deep personal meaning to me.
High though his titles, proud his name,
Boundless his wealth as wish can claim;
Despite those titles, power, and pelf,
The wretch, concentred all in self,
Living, shall forfeit fair renown,
And, doubly dying, shall go down
To the vile dust, from whence he sprung,
Unwept, unhonour’d, and unsung.
Canto VI, Stanza 1, Lines 9-16 (1805)
Watched: This Is Not a Test 🍿much better than I thought it would be. Enjoyed.
Watched: Hellbender 🍿
Fantastic flick, great music (written & performed by actors who were a band first). Great witchy/horror, coming of age feel. I also thought there were 🏳️⚧️ allusions.